Warders Org Armory: Bows, Missiles and Throws
Bows, Missles and Throws
The long bow is the simplest of all drawn bows. It is a straight shaft of a strong, springy wood tapered to a point and the capped with horn (or bone) at each end, it has a combination grip/arrow rest just below the middle of the shaft. Its proper unstrung length is from the ground to the shooter’s shoulder (a weapon that is too short WILL break when drawn and it IS painful). It is strung into an arc and held in the hand of the outstretched left arm of the shooter along the line of the shoulders. The string is drawn to the right corner of the shooter’s mouth with the right hand. This weapon can take years to master}
The Shortbow or “Horsebow” is a bow designed for use from horseback or by light troops. It has a far shorter range than the longbow but is much less cumbersome, some consider it less accurate. It is made in the same way as the longbow but usually from a stronger wood and that, combined with it’s length, makes a bit harder to draw. Its proper unstrung length is from the ground to the shooter’s waist. When fired it is held in the left hand straight away from the body and is drawn to the centre of the chest. It can also take years to master this bow.
Composite bows come in both long and short varieties and are generally considered to be superior to their simpler brethren. They are made on demand to suit the individual shooter and no man can properly shoot another’s composite bow. They consist of the same shaft of strong wood, but it is curved out at the ends to create a “recurve” effect when the bow is drawn, (that is, the ends curl back the other way, against the main curve of the bow) The shaft is further reinforced by long strips of inflexible horn on both the inside and the outside of the main arc. The “sandwiched” shaft is the wrapped completely in several layers of wet sinew, each allowed to dry before the next is applied. The composite has far better range, power and accuracy than other drawn bows, but is also much harder to draw and harder to maintain. It is very sensative to moisture and temperature changes and strings must be changed frequently to avoid them breaking. Like the other drawn bows it takes years to master but it can also take up to 5 years to properly manufacture such a weapon
The crossbow comes in many shapes and sizes. The smallest can fit into a pocket and shoot accuratly over a few feet and the largest are used a seige artillery and can be accuratly fired almost a mile. Crossbows fire either stones (ranging from marble size to the size of a man’s head) or bolts (from a few inches in length to several feet). They consist of a bowshaft fastened horizontally to the front of a perpendicular (look it up)stock. The stock has a lock or trigger mechanism that holds the drawn bowstring taut and releases the bolt or stone when the trigger is squeezed. Crossbows are made using bow simple and composite bows and some are even made with extremely springy steel. A tyical heavy crossbow can easily fire over 70 yards and can knock an armored horseman out of his saddle at 50. It is an extremely easy weapon to use as it generally has a sighting device and one doesn’t have to hold the bowstring taut. It can simply be pointed and fired. The advantages of this weapon are that it is extremely accurate and powerful, extremely easy to use and master and can be carried long distances loaded and cocked. The main downfall of the crossbow is that it cannot be fired rapidly. They are mainly loaded by means of a foot loop on the front of the weapon,but there are also loading levers or “goats feet” that may be used to draw the string. Some examples have a far weaker bow but use a “pump” or slide to draw the string. There have even been ones with two bows, one above the other, to give the shooter a second shot before having to reload.
The sling is a hand weapon used to throw stones or lead pellets. It consists of a long leather thong with a leather “cup” positioned in the middle to hold the projectile. At one end of the thong a loop is tied and is hung around the thumb or forefinger of the user. The other end is grasped in the same fist. After the projectile is inserted, the folded-over sling is then whirled about the head several times to generate momentum and then the free end is released, propelling the projectile forward. Range is very limited as is force, but it is a small, light weapon and easy to make and conceal. This weapon is usually used for hunting, however, in expert hands can be a very effective close range weapon in battle. (Ever heard of David?) Its length is usually twice the distance from the user’s hip to their knee.
This weapon generally consists of a short sling mounted on the end of a small staff. The sling is attached by means of a small metal loop on the end of the staff to which one end is tied. The other end is tied into a loop and placed on a small metal hook in the end of the staff. After the projectile is placed in the cup the user grasps the staff with the dominant hand about in the middle of the staff’s length and the other hand near the staff’s bottom. The weapon is then raised overhead and swung down as hard as possible. The hooked end will release at the height of the arc, releasing the projectile. It is both more powerful and more accurate than the sling due to the extra leverage the staff provides. While range is still rather short and the weapon is more cumbersome than the sling, it can be fired far more rapidly. Neither weapon will punch through armor but both make excellent hunting companions. The length of the staff and sling vary greatly from example to example. his weapon, like the sling, can be mastered easily with a little practice.
The term “lance” originally referred to spears wielded by footmen and cavalry. It eventually referred only to cavalry spears. Lance design varies between cultures and eras. Generally, the lance is a long shaft of tough wood, usually ash, with an iron head in the shape of a laurel or willow leaf, with cutting edges and a sharp point meant to penetrate armor. Lances are meant to be gripped close to the bottom, putting a great distance between the wielder and his target. As a rule, the lance is aimed diagonally above the horse’s neck. The opponents face each other with their left sides oncoming. Along with almost any variety of sword, the lance is considered the best offensive weapon for mounted soldiers. Some knights carry a small fabric pennant affixed just below the lance head. These pennants are either triangular or square, and carry the colors or symbols of the knight’s family or liege.In parades, lances are held vertically, with the butt set in a stirrup or on the horseman’s right thigh. On a march, the lance is held across the shoulder, across the saddlebow, or horizontally alongside the horse.
The simplest and humblest of staff weapons, the quarterstaff is a length of wood ranging six to nine feet in length. High quality quarterstaves are made of stout oak and are shod with metal at both ends. The quarterstaff must be wielded with both hands.
Also known just as a “pike” and a Morris pike (corruption of Moorish), this is an infantry spear ranging 16 to 22 feet in length. Awl heads are usually leaf- or lozenge-shaped. The pole is made of a strong wood, such as ash. Many pike heads are made with two tongues of steel, nailed down the sides of the shaft in order to prevent the head from getting hacked off. The grip is often bound with cloth and the butt capped in steel to prevent the shaft from splitting.
One of man’s earliest weapons, dating back to the most primitive of times, the first spears were simply wooden poles or sticks sharpened at one end. When fire was discovered and mastered, spear points were hardened by charring. As man became more adept at using tools, spears were either fitted with a stone head or the point was reinforced with splints of stone or bone. When man mastered metals, spear heads were made from iron and steel. Having reached this end, weaponers began experimenting with different types of spear heads, thus leading to the development of certain polearm types such as the ranseur. Spear shafts are usually made from yew or ash, since these woods are both flexible and strong. The shafts range five to eleven feet in length. In melee, spears may be used either one or two handed, with more damage inflicted if used in the latter mode. Spears 10 feet or longer cannot be wielded with one hand.
This weapon is a short, straight spear made of light wood tipped with metal, bone, flint or simply with one end sharpened and hardened in fire. The shaft is generally about 2/3 the user’s height (including tip) and about 1 inch in diameter. Its light construction makes it unsuitable for thrusting. It is thrown either over or under hand by the users dominant arm. Over hand tends to be the more powerful throw, but does reqire a running start to get any effect out of the weapon while light weapons can be under-handed without moving. Range, power and accuracy depend greatly on the individual’s strength and skill. The weapon’s basic funtion can generally be mastered in a few tries, but accuracy and power may take weeks of instensive work
A dart firing weapon consisting of a hollow tube made of metal or wood. It varies in length from 1 foot 5 feet and the tube’s diameter can be anywhere from 1/4 of an inch to 1 inch. The dart, generally about 4 inches in length, is tipped with a needle-sharp metal or wooden point (usually poisoned) on one end and on the other has a stop made of feathers or leather. It is inserted point down into one end of the weapon and pressed in an inch or so, the stop wil completely plug the tube. The weapon is then raised to the shooter’s mouth and, after it is aimed, the shooter blows their hardest into the stopped end of the tube to propel the dart. An effective weapon for hunting and assanination it is basically useless in battle or against an armored target (who would more than likely laugh at you and then break you blowgun). Range is generally pretty short and power is greatly effected by the force and amount of air blown into the tube. Accuracy is extremely good within the weapon’s range. Basic usage skill is instantaneous, a few shots and you’re a master. Try to avoid sucking darts back into your mouth though.
Contrary to popular artwork, the most common version of the battle axe is a stout pole about four feet in length with a single-edged, trumpet-shaped blade mounted on one end. Battle axes are also called broad axes. The battle axe is a footman’s weapon, giving these soldiers a longer reach and a fighting chance against mounted opponents. Its long handle allows the wielder to put considerable force into his swing. Despite the shaft length, a battle axe is a one-handed weapon.
The typical dagger has a pointed, usually double-edged blade, as opposed to a knife, which has a single edge and is a bit shorter than the dagger.
Perhaps one of the most violent weapons ever conceived, the morningstar. With a three to five foot haft it is designed to be wielded two-handed against mounted knights. The head of the weapon bristles with long, sharp metal spikes designed to pierce armour and draw blood. Often mounted atop the weapon is a longer spike like that of a polearm. Heavy and somewhat unwieldy, the mornigstar is still quite a fearsome weapon.
Another tool converted for warfare, the maul is little more then a glorified sledgehammer designed for military use. Three to four feet long, the heavy head of the maul was is almost always square in shape. The maul is used mainly in battle by light footman against dismounted knights and archers.
Only one to two feet long, the warhammer is just as the name implies. A hammer designed with a larger strinking head intended to crack heavier versions of plate armour. The reverse side of the head often contains another blunt hammer, or a short spike for punching through armour.
The flail has two very diffrent forms and actually should be considered two diffrent weapons. The most common form of flail is that used on horseback. The horseman’s flail is just another tool, the grain flail, converted for military purposes. It is altered from the original tool by replacing the rope with a sturdy chain from three to four feet in length attached to heavy metal ball that may or may not be spiked. The handle is meant or single handed use, and may be used with a shield. It is especially adept at tying up other weapons. The footman’s version is an entirely different weapon all together. It has a much longer haft and is intended for two-handed use. The sturdy, oft-spiked head is not joined by chain to the haft, but is rather joined by a single hinge. Incredibly powerful and heavy it can deliver incredible blows primarily to crack and crush armour.
Another weapon with two distict versions, again one designed for horseback and another for footman. The footman’s mace has a two to three foot haft capped with a heavy iron or bronze head. There are many different types of heads for many purposes. A spherical ball for crushing attacks, spiked for piercing plate armour, and flanged for softer varieties of armour. The footman’s mace can be wielded effectively with either one or two hands. The horseman’s mace is almost exactly the same, but in a smaller proportion. They are smaller and lighter for ease of use on horseback.
The oldest weapon and the most readily availible. Can be anything from a table leg, to an animals bone, to lute, and even a work of art. The great club is two-handed and is distictively different. Still not a finese weapon the thick wooden haft of a great club is often frought with iron or bronze bands, or even have nails driven through them almost converting the weapon to a morningstar. Another version of the club is the highly specialized war club which are carefully crafted for balance, speed, and power. They are often studded with sharp stones or spikes to do more damage.
The bola is a missile of prehistoric origins. Currently, it is still used by arctic tribes and by savages who dwell on temperate plains. The main function of the bola is to provide a hunter with a good missile weapon that will catch the prey off guard and entangle it so as to make escape impossible. The bola is basically a leather strap or straps with weights fastened to the ends, although there are many variations to the design. Arctic bolas are generally used for hunting birds. The bola may have four, six, or ten weights made of walrus ivory or bone. The weights are egg-shaped, spherical, or carved into the likeness of animals. All of the straps or cords join together to make a sort of handle. The thrower grasps the handle, jerks back the strand to straighten them, whirls the bolas over his head, and releases them. Each bola strand is about 28 inches long and each weight is about two inches in diameter. Two-ball bolas are called somais; triple-ball bolas are achicos. Temperate plains bolas are usually twice as large and consist of a single leather thong with a leather-covered stone at each end. Often a second cord is fastened in the center of the first cord, with a small weight attached at the end. This weight is held by the thrower. This version of the bola can bring down a man-sized target.